is there such a thing as too extreme-too much crawler??
- Thread starter Naetzker
- Start date
TangoBlue
American Adventurist
Too much Crawler - the "Enhanced Overlander" experiment
For me, Freeze and Eric Birk hit the nail on the head, and that's exactly the build plan I've employed with my truck. My interpretation of the above list includes a SAC though, mainly for durability and maintenance as well as to tackle more challenging terrain that Eric Birk describes.
I guess we'll see how the execution of this concept works this April 2011 to OX11 (shake-down cruise) which will be followed by my most lengthy retirement soiree across the North American continent and back this summer. Some of these jaunts will include members of this forum as well. I'll have to find this thread again next fall and report back; maybe to include some forum members observations on the trail as well as they gasp in awe or choke on laughter.
Break...
Any thoughts on observations to report back on, other than the usual glamour shots on the trail or epic vistas with truck in foreground? What data would you think would be important to include if you were making a decision to build or not build an "Enhanced Overlander." If so, include them here in your response.
Hopefully this isn't considered a hijack of the original thread as my intention is adding some practical observations of a newly "re-built" up rig that went from IFS to SAS and contributing to the "body of overlanding knowledge" on the subject. Or it will fall apart like a cheap suit, and my kidneys bleed from vibrations and death wobble. Stay tuned...
Break...
OBTW, NO ONE says? My wife says you only get one. I tell her I don't even have to have one. I don't think we're talking about the same thing... :coffeedrink:
It depends on how well it's built as well.
If it's too purpose built for the rocks, the highway drivability starts to suffer in terms of noise, rattles, heat, speed, and gear carrying. If the person building the Toyota keeps a good balance between very capable and comfortable long distance on highway and dirt then it's not too far off the deep end.
Basic concept includes:
- Skid Plates/sliders/metal bumper with recovery points
- Soft flexy suspension that can carry 500-700LBS of gear
- Beadlocks
- Winch
- Aux lighting for super dark wet roads/unmaintained roads/trails
- One locker min.
- Ability to carry: tools, fuel, spare parts, gear, hi-lift, recovery gear, roof top tent, skis, another passanger
- Heat
- Able to maintain highway speed
- There's more to this but this is the basic idea
This is on top of a solid foundation which is mechanical, electrical, frame, etc.
Is it comfortable, is it quiet (noise will drain you), is it mechanically sound, can it drive on the highway without any issues, can it stop really well, will it sag out if you put more than 200LBS in the bed, etc...
Again no one says you have to have just one though
For me, Freeze and Eric Birk hit the nail on the head, and that's exactly the build plan I've employed with my truck. My interpretation of the above list includes a SAC though, mainly for durability and maintenance as well as to tackle more challenging terrain that Eric Birk describes.
I guess we'll see how the execution of this concept works this April 2011 to OX11 (shake-down cruise) which will be followed by my most lengthy retirement soiree across the North American continent and back this summer. Some of these jaunts will include members of this forum as well. I'll have to find this thread again next fall and report back; maybe to include some forum members observations on the trail as well as they gasp in awe or choke on laughter.
Break...
Any thoughts on observations to report back on, other than the usual glamour shots on the trail or epic vistas with truck in foreground? What data would you think would be important to include if you were making a decision to build or not build an "Enhanced Overlander." If so, include them here in your response.
Hopefully this isn't considered a hijack of the original thread as my intention is adding some practical observations of a newly "re-built" up rig that went from IFS to SAS and contributing to the "body of overlanding knowledge" on the subject. Or it will fall apart like a cheap suit, and my kidneys bleed from vibrations and death wobble. Stay tuned...
Break...
OBTW, NO ONE says? My wife says you only get one. I tell her I don't even have to have one. I don't think we're talking about the same thing... :coffeedrink: